Francesinhas
One Serving
The sauce recipe yields enough for 25 sandwiches. Make the sauce and freeze it in smaller quantities.
To Make the Sauce Ahead
- 3 large onions, coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 cup water
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 pound ham, mortadella or salami, cut in pieces
- 7 tablespoons flour
- 1 beer
- 3 ounces whisky,or brandy
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- Piri piri hot sauce or tabasco like sauce
- salt and ground pepper to taste
- 1 poached or scrambed egg (optional)
- Fry the onions in the olive oil until translucent. Add the water, bay leaves and meats. Sauté the beef, sausage and ham for about 2 minutes each side.
- When the meats are done, transfer to a dish and remove the bay leaves from the pan. Puree the remaining contents of the pan. Return the pan to the heat
- Using the beer,dissolve the flour and tomato paste into a cup, followed by the whisky or brandy, salt, hot sauce. Mix thoroughly, add to the pan and bring to a simmer.
- Place 1 slice of bread on a plate or small bowl. Top it with the beef slices, sausage,sliced lengthwise followed with a scrambled egg if using. Add the top slice of bread followed by placing the slices of cheese on top and on the sides. If you prefer a poached egg, add it on top of the last slice of bread.
- Spoon the very hot sauce over the top and sides of the sandwich, melting the cheese. Serve immediately. You will need a fork and knife.
For one sandwich serving:
- 2 slices of sandwich bread
- 2 ounces sandwich steak, thinly sliced
- 2 ounces linguica or chourico sausage
- 4 thin slices of cheese (Sao Jorge or other soft cheese)
- 1 scrambled egg(optional)

